English Synonyms and Antonyms

imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious
demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon
compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an
arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and
arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in
one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a
commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.
Antonyms:
accountable, constitutional, gentle, lowly, responsible, complaisant, contingent, humble, meek, submissive,
compliant, docile, lenient, mild, yielding. conditional, ductile, limited,
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ABSOLVE.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
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Synonyms:
acquit, exculpate, forgive, pardon, clear, exempt, free, release, discharge, exonerate, liberate, set free.
To absolve, in the strict sense, is to set free from any bond. One may be absolved from a promise by a breach
of faith on the part of one to whom the promise was made. To absolve from sins is formally to remit their
condemnation and penalty, regarded as a bond upon the soul. "Almighty God ... pardoneth and absolveth all
those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel." Book of Common Prayer, Declar. of Absol.
To acquit of sin or crime is to free from the accusation of it, pronouncing one guiltless; the innocent are
rightfully acquitted; the guilty may be mercifully absolved. Compare PARDON.
Antonyms:
accuse, charge, condemn, impeach, obligate, bind, compel, convict, inculpate, oblige.
Preposition:
One is absolved from (rarely of) a promise, a sin, etc.
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ABSORB.
Synonyms:
consume, engross, suck up, take in, drink in, exhaust, swallow, take up. drink up, imbibe, swallow up,
A fluid that is absorbed is taken up into the mass of the absorbing body, with which it may or may not
permanently combine. Wood expands when it absorbs moisture, iron when it absorbs heat, the substance
remaining perhaps otherwise substantially unchanged; quicklime, when it absorbs water, becomes a new
substance with different qualities, hydrated or slaked lime. A substance is consumed which is destructively
appropriated by some other substance, being, or agency, so that it ceases to exist or to be recognized as
existing in its original condition; fuel is consumed in the fire, food in the body; consume is also applied to
whatever is removed from the market for individual use; as, silk and woolen goods are consumed. A great
talker engrosses the conversation. A credulous person swallows the most preposterous statement. A busy
student imbibes or drinks in knowledge; he is absorbed in a subject that takes his whole attention. "I only
postponed it because I happened to get absorbed in a book." KANE Grinnell Exped. ch. 43, page 403. [H.
'54.]
Antonyms:
cast out, dissipate, emit, put forth, shoot forth, disgorge, distract, exude, radiate, throw off, disperse, eject,
give up, send out, vomit.
Prepositions:
Plants absorb moisture from the air; the student is absorbed in thought; nutriment may be absorbed into the
system through the skin.
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ABSTINENCE.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
13

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Synonyms:
abstemiousness, frugality, self-denial, sobriety, continence, moderation, self-restraint, temperance. fasting,
self-control,